I work in a small mom and pop retail establishment. Yesterday as I greeted an incoming customer, a 65+ rotund man in bibbed overalls, he loudly stated " I have something to show you" and reached for his left front pocket which was bulging with something large. I moved closer to him and put out my hand to control his hand if it came out with a weapon. As the hand came out I could see that he had a hold of some kind of grip. My pucker factor was really starting to elevate. Then the rest of the item came out and I was able to relax. It was a fairly large retractable pet leash with a green plastic grip. At that time he noticed my stance, his face slightly reddened, he laughed, and said "I'm sorry but that item is in my back pocket". He then reached back into the same pocket and pulled out the small item he was wanting to replace. I won't say if I was carrying or not, but the circumstances with several other customers and a couple of employees close around made use of a gun undesirable. I felt that the only option would have been a takeaway and take down. All options were risky.

schufflerbot wrote:glad it wasn't something malicious, nice job of moving in to reduce the risk of collateral damage. Keep up the vigilance!

I'm glad also. It's amazing how long that 5-7 seconds took to go by. Seemed like slow motion when in progress.

Rex B wrote:Good thing you didn't have to "unleash" on him!

Maybe he wanted to put me on the leash

fickman wrote:Well at least he thought it was funny.

One of the other employees (future CHL) saw it also and we had a good laugh afterward. The boss said she saw part of it but didn't think much of it til I explained the part she couldn't see from a couple of feet behind me. The guy's loud voice is what got her attention. We lived and learned....